| News | Gallery | Ladder | Fixtures | Heroes | History | Archive | Contact | Sponsors | Aussie Home |
Gallant Tigers Pipped at the Post
June 28th 2009
The reigning Premiers travelled to Bega on Sunday looking to consolidate their recent good form and move a step closer to the top of the table. The fired up Bega Roosters gave them a hot reception as the game opened, with both sides getting to their kicks until Bega received the first penalty for a strip. Heavy defence by Tsai Tui and Rob Horton was an early highlight. Bega were first on the board when Michael Edmonds scored after Eden dropped the ball on the first tackle. Bega received another penalty soon after for a high shot and put Eden under pressure, however a strong tackle by Mick Geercke jolted the ball loose, and when Eden received a penalty and Todd Bolton gained 50 m with his touchfinder Eden were back on the attack. Successive penalties to Bega put the Roosters back on the attack and with a mountain of possession the Tigers intensity in attack appeared to be waning. When Eden received the next penalty and went on an attacking raid the scores were soon levelled when Scott Jackson scored a trademark try from dummy half.
Play then settled down and both sides completed several sets and got their kicks in. The turning point came when Eden received a penalty, moved play downfield and Brad Chatfield charged over to get the Tigers back in striking distance.
In very short time the determined Roosters struck back again with pacey winger Craig Dunham scorching downfield for a 90 meter try which took the Roosters to a 18-10 lead. Just before half time a clever kick through by Jackson found the ever present Chatfield and he scored his second to see the players in the sheds with Bega leading 18-16.
The second half began with scrappy play from both sides attempting to push passes and losing possession before a couple of penalties to Eden put them on the attack and Chatfield brought up his hat trick after some deft backline movement. Bolton's sideline conversion put Eden ahead 22-18. When Chatfield crossed for his fourth try out wide, which was again converted with a beautiful kick from Bolton, it looked like the Tigers might get away with the two points, but Bega had other ideas. In a very sloppy period of play there were 8 separate possessions in which Bega received three penalties and Eden one, and the ball was turned over within two tackles by both sides before Bega was awarded a scrum feed for a bad play the ball by Eden and duly scored a converted try to bring the score to 28-24 to Eden.
As the clock ticked down the players on both sides lifted for a final effort. With less than a minute remaining a desperate Bega backline put on a dazzling last ditch move that took play deep into the Eden half. Last gasp defence held the Roosters at bay until they received a penalty for offside play as the final siren went. From the penalty Bega slipped a grubber kick through the defence from short range which was pounced on by Simon Scott. The conversion gave the Roosters a plucky 30-28 victory in a highly entertaining match.
For Eden Horton and Tui were outstanding, while Geercke had his best game this season. Chatfield's four tries and outstanding general play saw him voted man of the match, and Bolton's goalkicking was outstanding.